Thermostat change out F1 8BA

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#16

02-07-2015, 01:27 PM

petemcl

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Quote:

Originally Posted by jhweigel

The good thing with my 160 degree thermostat experiment is that if running at 180 engine temp is too cold at highway speeds, and I can't get it leaned out to my satisfaction, I can always go back to the 180 stats that I had and run it hotter, so it's not a permanent decision. Actually I have gotten pretty good at changing them out. I read comments recently on another website / forum that said "we never run anything hotter than 160 degree thermostats in our flatheads" - period!

Thermostats have nothing to do with engine temp once the engine has warmed up.

Hopefully you are putting the thermostats in correctly. They can go in upside down on a flathead.

Generic picture . . . not a flathead. The temp sensor goes to the engine side.

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#17

02-07-2015, 04:06 PM

jhweigel

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Thanks. I read some information on a thermostat manufacturers website (not sure wich one) that confirms the rated temp marked on it is where it just begins opening, and the fully open temp will be somewhat higher. I don't want to bet this to death, I am just trying to get enough data to understand it.

I drove my truck all over today at highway speeds and it measured 175 degrees on the center of each headimmediately after I stopped. It was running a little rich so I backed off the idle screws, and re-adjusted it for RPM. It is ticking over at about 500 RPM at idle, and never sounded happier.

Next I will pull a plug to look at it, to make sure it's not running too rich.

Interesting stuff.

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